Two of Swansea’s longest serving foster carers are urging families across the city to consider opening their homes to children and young people in need.
Steve and Wendy Taylor, from Bonymaen, were recently presented with an MBE for services to Foster Swansea, the Council’s fostering service, after council officers nominated them for their outstanding service.
The incredible pair earned the royal honour by devoting themselves to inspire and encourage teenagers in Swansea to achieve their potential and thrive.
And now the couple who have been fostering for 31 years and looked after over 1,000 youngsters, mainly teenagers, are hoping to inspire others to foster too.
Wendy said: “When I started I would never have believed that years down the line we would be off to Windsor Castle to pick up the honour.
“We just saw that there were children who we could help and give a chance when, often through no fault of their own, they need it most.
“We never expected to have fostered so many. Every one of them has been different, but everyone has counted and touched our lives in some way.
“Yes there has been heartache at times, but also some tremendous success and it is lovely we are still in touch with so many of our former foster family members.
“I hope other people will hear our story and come forward to care for teenagers in particular too. I never regret becoming a foster carer and urge anyone who thinks they could foster too to give it a try.”
Christine Richards, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Services for Children and Young People, said: “Steve and Wendy are an inspirational couple and fantastic foster carers for Foster Swansea.
“I hope their story will inspire others to explore if fostering is for them and find out how Foster Swansea, Swansea Council’s own fostering organisation, could support them too to provide an outstanding service for youngsters across the city.”
Anyone interested in fostering can head to www.fosterswansea.org or call the team for a chat on 0300 555 0111.
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